Rating: Summary: She Shoulda Stuck with Keanu... Review: I found it an enchanting movie, which (rather like the best of Mozart) took formulas and conventions, and created something more than the sum of it's semi-predicatable parts. I underline the semi -- there are unexpected twists! Diane Keaton is pitch perfect -- looking every one of her beautiful 57 years old. An inspiration for those of us coming to terms with reaching "a certain age." I may be in the minority, but I really wanted to see Keaton's character stay with Reeves. Not only because he's better-looking (in this context, perhaps that is damning him with faint praise), but because of the interactions between his character and Keaton's, in which it evident how much he values the entire person that is "Erica Berry" -- unconditional love such as that is exceedingly rare. It would also have been interesting for Harry to have to come to grips with how he's lived his life, a bit like Julia Roberts in "My Best Friend's Wedding." We can't always have what we want, and sometimes it is too late for "I'm sorry, I've changed" to make it all okay. I perhaps should learn that lesson while submitting this review...after all, it is JUST A MOVIE!
Rating: Summary: So-So Review: This was a so-so romance comedy. It is certainly not my favorite genre. I have liked many of Jack Nicholson's movies, but my wife has not (excepting "As Good As It Gets", which Nicholson shows a lot of the same acting in this movie). Nothing great, nothing bad, very predictable, everyone is well-mannered, etc. Just too blah for me.
Rating: Summary: Laughable Review: If you're down and need a great laugh...this one is for you! Of course, you need to be at least 50+ yrs. to appreciate the storyline.
Rating: Summary: Why this will be a classic.... Review: For all the reviews citing cliches in this film, it was surprising to me that the majority failed to mention that the screenplay was extraordinary. There are a couple of twists in the traditional plot lines of your typical romantic comedy, but what I felt was so special about this one in particular was that it didn't insult my intelligence. I felt the relationships were believable - especially the December/May relationship relationship that unfolded between Reeves and Keaton. Is it that hard to believe? Older women marrying younger men is a growing trend and I applaud the script for taking that chance. I also liked that there wasn't two of the more common romantic comedy plot devices: 1) a misunderstanding ala "Three's Company" or the 2) soap opera style standoffs between love triangles. Not a single one in this movie and I thought that the script treated the characters with a level of maturity that was more in line with reality than Hollywood. If you want to see Jack and Keanu fight at the end or Amanda Peet chew out her Mom (Keaton) - you won't get it. Go watch a Meg Ryan movie instead. Other highlights from my perspective: A clever incorporation of IM and the internet without it being the focal point of the movie. Some wonderful beach scenes that will remain classic - 50 years from now they will be used for an Oscar night montage. Character arcs - they may seem simplistic and perhaps packaged quickly (esp. with the Peet character), but all the characters develop. The cerebral flavor of the movie in general. If the average moviegoer can't appreciate the importance of "eating pancakes" in a certain scene then perhaps I suggest they are missing the point of that scene. I am a big Jack fan and you think he is playing himself, but until those credits are rolling at the end does he flash that trademark smile in the restaurant. Not only did that simple act get applause in the theater when I saw the movie, but symbolized that he is complete - being himself again despite severing his bachelor ways. That was a brilliant subtlety that personified the whole movie, in my opinion.
Rating: Summary: SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE Review: Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z A REAL SLEEPER. BRING YOUR PILLOW. YOU'LL NEED IT! EVEN NICHOLSON COULDN'T SAVE THIS ONE.
Rating: Summary: SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE Review: Z-Z-Z-Z-Z-Z A REAL SLEEPER. BRING YOUR PILLOW. YOU'LL NEED IT!
Rating: Summary: Keaton Surprizes! Jack is just OK. Review: I honestly didn't want to see this movie because I wanted Diane Lane to win the Golden Globe (M/C) but I must confess that after seeing it I was surprised (in several ways). First of all, Diane Keaton was great (as much as I hate to say it). She had me laughing and nearly crying; she was totally believable in her character and classically beautiful. This brings me to the down side, however. Jack is usually one of my favorite actors - hands down, but here, although he does a good acting job, he is way out of character. He is just not believable as the "playboy" type, and he is starting to look his age. BUT this does little to hurt this charming film, and the great supporting cast Amanda and Reeves (who usually sucks) just make this a must see (if only to see how great Diane looks for her age!)
Rating: Summary: Great first half, then... Review: "Something's Gotta Give" is about an aging bachelor who is so accustomed to dating women half his age that once he meets a sexy and sophisticated peer of his the romance hits a sour note. This film was a dissapointment overall to me, the fault of which lies in its writing and directing. Jack Nicholson gave a great performance, and Diane Keaton deserved her Oscar nomination (and maybe even deserved to win), but try as they might they could not save the film. My dissapointment in the film is so because the first half was so good. It is very fresh and funny, then things all go downhill. The film loses its wit, and the story's devices (the young doctor as only an obstacle to Henry and Erica, the daughter as only a way for them to get together) become very apparent. The ending had no originality or chutzpah in any way, and the corny dialogue made it a groaner. I give three stars for the first half, but still reccomend it if you need a nice and airy romantic comedy.
Rating: Summary: Quality Romance Review: "Something's Gotta Give", starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, is a great comedy release of 2003. Its plot of a playright whose daughter falls in love with an older man, then later develops a relationship of her own with him, is great. It has many creative hilarious scenes that keep audiences interested. It gives new meaning of romance after age fifty. The other added details, namely the characters' past, gives it the additional unique flavor. Such interesting chain of events keep audience watching closely, always wondering what will happen next, especially through the numerous surprises. Though a few scenes are unnecessarily repetative, audiences will never forget this. Diane Keaton's Golden Globe winning and Oscar nominated performance is outstanding. Her presence alone gives the film the added viewing pleasure. Her own sense of drama and humor is clearly pleasant. Jack Nicholson is outstanding as he always is. He proves that he plays the best characters the audiences love to hate. This film is no exception. All other actors, especially Amanda Peet, Frances McDormand, and Keanu Reeves, also offer quality performance. "Something's Gotta Give" is a great romantic comedy for all ages to enjoy. This is sure to please audiences for a long time.
Rating: Summary: great beginning -- sugary ending Review: This movie starts out with a bang. Jack is basically being Jack at his devilish best for the first 15 minutes. Then, as he goes through heart attack and a subsequent self-discovery, the film slowly looses its steam and the syropy ending had me all upset. Keaton is too, really good for about 2/3 of the film and then has this weird "breakdown" with boo-hooing that simply gets annoying. Keanu Reeves plays a young doctor who falls for a much (!) older Keaton. Okay, surfer dude, there's something wrong with you when you see Amanda Peet and go after her mom. The settings are overly "yappie" with that enormous house on the beach and not a single "middle-income" person in sight. Overall, it's a strange mixture of dark humor and sentimentality with a very disappointing ending.
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